IPL 2021: Rajasthan Royals Mentor Kumar Sangakkara Hopeful Of The Side Making The Playoffs

Ahead of the second leg of the IPL 2021, Rajasthan Royals (RR) mentor Kumar Sangakkara has suggested the team needs to win right from game one if they are to make it to the playoffs. The first half was average for the Rajasthan franchise as they sit in fifth place having secured three wins in seven games.

The top four teams are comfortably placed and it needs a special effort from the bottom half of the table if they are to get into the playoffs. RR, who have made decent replacements after losing a couple of players, will need to get their act together when the season resumes on September 19.

“We have to win a majority of the seven matches. That’s the simplest way of looking at it, try from game one to see if we can win. We will try to do everything because we are out here to make the playoffs. That’s the big ambition. But to do that, we need to win those games. If you have the games, you have to try and win the majority of them,” Sangakkara said.

While Sangakkara is involved with RR, his former teammate and legendary batsman, Mahela Jayawardene, plays the role of Mumbai Indians’ head coach. He has led them to quite a few titles in the past few years. When asked about the rivalry between the two, Sangakkara said:

“I don’t think he [Mahela] or I look at it that way. We don’t play against each other, the teams do, the players do, so it’s about what happens out in the middle, it’s not personal. It’s not about trying to get one over someone else. It’s about trying to do the best for your side and getting them ready to win. The side that plays better cricket on the day will win.“

Kumar Sangakkara lists a few players from the olden days who would have done well in the IPL

Although T20s came into force during the late 2000s, there were a lot of unorthodox aggressive batsmen from the previous eras. The 43-year-old Sangakkara named a few of them who he believes had what it takes to thrive in the demanding league.

“Going by ability, Aravinda de Silva, Brian Lara, Viv Richards, Gary Sobers, Don Bradman. The list goes on. It’s not just a small group of players. Ian Botham, you know, so many from so many countries who would have done extremely well. The Saeed Anwars, Imran Khans. You can take your pick. The list is long,” he added.

RR begins their campaign on September 21 with a game against KL Rahul’s side, Punjab Kings (PBKS).

Also Read – IPL 2021: Kieron Pollard Comes To Mind When I Think About CSK – Suryakumar Yadav